Russia-ASEAN Business Council held online business consultations with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council in the form of a video conference. The consultations were attended by Ivan Polyakov, Chairman of the ASEAN-Russia Business Council, Valeri Bartchenko, Chairman of the Russian-Thai Business Council, Andrei Frolov, Vice President of the Union of Timber Manufacturers and Exporters of Russia, Dr. Doan Duy Khuong, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Vice President of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thai Huong, Chairman of the Vietnam-Russia Business Council, Chairman of TH True Milk.

The parties exchanged views on the COVID-19 pandemic impact on  global and national economies and also discussed economic measures supporting business in Russia and ASEAN Member States.

Chairman of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council Ivan Polyakov noted the negative impact of the current situation on economic cooperation – on the development of industrial cooperation, trade, transport sector as well as on business activity, including the cancellation and postponement of mutual business missions, major international summits and forums. At the same time the Business Council is to provide further support to business communities of Russia and ASEAN Member States in the implementation of joint trade, economic and investment projects.

Dr. Doan Duy Khuong, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council emphasized the importance of strengthening business cooperation between ASEAN Member States and Russia as well as continuing active dialogue between the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and Russia-ASEAN Business Council aimed at practical support of business.

The Chairman of the Vietnam-Russia Business Council, Chairman of the Board of TH True Milk Mdm. Thai Huong noted the effective interaction between the entrepreneurs of Vietnam and Russia based on mutually beneficial partnership and friendship between the people of Vietnam and Russia. Mdm. Thai Huong also informed the participants concerning the ongoing TH True Milk projects in Russia.

The Chairman of the Russian-Thai Business Council Valeri Bartchenko, expressed confidence in overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic as soon as possible and in further enhancing Russia's economic interaction with ASEAN Member States, including Thailand and also informed the participantson prospective Russian-Thai economic projects.

Andrei Frolov, Vice President of the Union of Timber Manufacturers and Exporters of Russia outlined the main issues in Russian-ASEAN cooperation in timber industry and suggested intensifying interaction between countries.

The parties discussed the possibility of participation of the largest Russian companies’ leaders at the upcoming ASEAN Business and Investment Summit-2020 (ABIS) scheduled for November 2020 in Vietnam.

The participants also discussed a possible conducting of a joint Working Group on monitoring trade, economic and investment projects implemented by business community of Russia and ASEAN aiming to provide companies with practical assistance in overcoming difficulties.